Combined shovel and poker



k (No Model.)

J.L.BROY. COMBINED SHOVEL AND POKER.

8N0. 550,861. Patented Dec. 3, 18915.

ANDREW B GRAHAM.FNDTD-UTHQWAEHINGYON Dc 7 UNITED STATES PATENT EEicE.

J OIIN L. BROY, OF CARUTHERSVILLE, MISSOURI.

COMBINED SHOVEL AND POKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 550,861, dated December 3, 1895.

Application filed July 13, 1895. Serial No. 555,822. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN L. BROY, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Caruthersville, in the county of Pcmiscot, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in a Combined Shovel and Poker, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in combined shovels and pokers, and has for its object to provide such a device that may be utilized for the twofold purpose of a shovel or poker without interfering with the function of either; and with this end in View it consists in the construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth, and then specifically designated by the claims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains may understand how to make and use the same, I will describe its construction and operation in detail, referring by number to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improvement, showing the poker in its retracted position within the shovel; and Fig. 2, a central longitudinal section, the poker being distended to its operative position.

Similar numbers denote like parts in both figures of the drawings.

1 represents the shovel, preferably formed, as shown in Fig. 1, by crimping, and 2 is a handle formed with or attached thereto. This handle is hollow and is provided with a groove 3, formed by the proximity of the edges of the metal from which said handle is made.

4 is a rod of sufficient length to extend through the handle and past the front edge of the shovel and terminates in the poker 5, and at the opposite end of this rod is an eye or hand-hold 6.

7 is a washer placed within the handle 2, loosely around the rod 4, and retained therein by the pins 8.

9 is also a washer secured upon the rod 4, and between these washers is disposed a coilspring 10, so that the normal position of the rod 4: will be that shown in Fig. 1, caused by the tendency of the coil-spring to retract said rod.

11 is a pin secured in the rod 4 and projecting through the slot 3, and adapted to travel therein when said rod is distended or retracted, and serves to hold the poker in its operative position, as shown in Fig. 2, by engaging with the cross-slot 12 when the rod is turned upon its axis.

Fromthis description the operation of my improvement will be obviously as follows: To use the device as a shovel alone it is only necessary to free the pin 11 from the crossslot 12 and permit the spring 10 to retract the rod 4, so that the poker 5 will lie within the shovel 1 out of the way; but when it becomes desirable to use the poker the rod 4. is forced downward through the handle against the resiliency of the spring until the pin 11 registers with the cross-slot 12, when said pin is caused to engage with said slot by turning the rod upon its axis in the proper direction, which will at the same time bring the poker into the position shown in Fig. 2, and when in this position it may be used for all purposes to which it could have been put were it separated from the shovel.

In practice I have found that it is not absolutely essential that the slot 3, pin 11, and cross-slot 12 be used, as the poker may be retained in its operative position when turned at right angles to the bottom of the shovel by contact with the edge of the latter, in which position it would be firmly held by the action of, the spring.

WVhen using my device in connection with an open or grate fire, a great advantage is gained in that the coals may be stirred without the liability of being thrown from the grate, since the shovel acts as a fender or shield and may be so used as to prevent the falling of the coals.

It is obvious that my improvement might be changed or varied in construction without departing from the spirit of the invention, which rests in the broad idea of so combining a shovel and poker that either may be used without interfering with the use of the other, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the exact construction shown and described.

What I do claim as new and useful is- 1. In a device of the character described, the shovel 1, hollow handle 2, provided with a slot 3, a cross-slot 12, in combination with the poker 3, rod 4, pin 11, secured therein,

and the spring 10, as and for the purpose set In testimony whereof I have hereunto afforth. fixed my signature in the presence of two sub- 20 2. In a device of the character described, scribing Witnesses. the oomblnation of the shovel 1, handle 2, slot JOHN L BROY 3, cross-slot 12, washer 7 with the spring 10,

Washer 9, rod 4, pin 11, hand-hold 6, and poker Witnesses:

5, all arranged to operate, substantially as S. S. WILLIAMSON, and for the purpose set forth. CHAS. SWAILEs. 

